Supporting individuals with dementia requires a compassionate and understanding approach. A carer, often known as a caretaker, is anybody who provides care for another person. Carers may live with or near the person they are caring for, or they may live far away. Caring for a person with dementia is often a team effort in many families, with many members sharing tasks and responsibilities. Taking care of another person, no matter what type of carer you are, can be daunting at times.
Family carers of people with dementia, also known as the “invisible second patients,” are crucial to the care receivers’ quality of life. Being a family caregiver has a mixed bag of repercussions, with high rates of burden and psychological morbidity, as well as social isolation, physical illness, and financial difficulties. Carers who are prone to negative impacts can be recognized, as can factors that reduce or increase stress and strain. Psychosocial therapies have been shown to minimize carer load and depression, as well as to postpone nursing home admission.
According to research by the International Journal of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, people who need help all the time (such as the supervision of someone with dementia who falls or wanders) are included in the category of ‘intensive care needs’. The dependency ratio in India is as high as 9-12%. Care of demented people with intensive care needs will be additive to home-based and community-level care of older people. In urban India home home-based support and care of aged members of the family is no longer the sole responsibility of traditional housewives, as more and more female family members are taking up employment outside their homes to supplement the family income. Therefore, home-based care, though widely believed to be best and affordable for patients with dementia seems practically not feasible with the changing dynamics of the Indian Family.
Tips for Everyday Care for People with Dementia
People with these diseases will need more help with simple, everyday tasks. This may include bathing, grooming, and dressing. It may be upsetting to the person to need help with such personal activities.
Educate Yourself
Learn about dementia and its course to better appreciate the difficulties that people with the condition encounter. This understanding will enable you to provide appropriate support and anticipate their requirements.
Maintain Routines
Create a daily routine that offers structure and familiarity. Individuals suffering from dementia may benefit from consistency to lessen confusion and worry. Maintain consistency in mealtimes, bedtime, and other activities.
Effective Communication
Use clear, basic language and speak slowly. Maintain eye contact and allow enough time for the person to process information and respond. Be patient and avoid interrupting or rushing.
Encourage Independence
Promote independence by allowing persons to engage in tasks that they can still manage. Divide work into smaller, more doable segments and help as needed. Encouragement of independence increases self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.
Create a Safe Environment
Make your living area dementia friendly. Remove clutter, make sure there is adequate lighting, and avoid hazards such as loose rugs or cords. In situations where assistance may be necessary, consider putting grab bars or handrails.
Provide Social Interaction
Encourage social contact and engagement with others through providing social interaction. Plan activities such as puzzles, music, or crafts that the person enjoys. Social activities help to sustain cognitive performance and emotional well-being.
Help With Everyday Tasks
Assist with activities of daily living include bathing, dressing, and eating. To aid them, provide gentle reminders and step-by-step guidance. Allow enough time for completion and be patient.
Foster Emotional Support
Be patient, understanding, and sympathetic. Pay close attention and validate their emotions. Maintain a calm and comforting presence, even in difficult or stressful situations. When they are anxious or bewildered, provide them comfort and reassurance.
Seek Respite Care
Caring for others can be both physically and emotionally taxing. To avoid burnout, take breaks and seek respite care. To ensure your well-being and maintain a good balance, enlist the assistance of other family members, friends, or professional caregivers.
Connect with Support Groups
Join support groups or networks for dementia carers. These communities give a forum for you to discuss your experiences, receive insights, and learn coping skills from others who understand your situation.
Keep in mind that each person suffering from dementia is unique, and their needs may alter over time. As the disease worsens, modify your approach, and always prioritize their safety, well-being, and dignity.
How can I Communicate Effectively with Someone who has Dementia?
Communication can be hard for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementia because they have trouble remembering things. They also can become agitated and anxious, even angry. To help make communication easier, you can:
- Reassure the person. Speak calmly. Listen to his or her concerns and frustrations. Try to show that you understand if the person is angry or fearful.
- Allow the person to keep as much control over his or her life as possible.
- Respect the individual’s personal space.
- Build quiet times into the day, along with activities.
- Keep well-loved objects and photographs around the house to help the person feel more secure.
- Remind the person who you are if he or she doesn’t remember, but try not to say, “Don’t you remember?”
- Encourage a two-way conversation for as long as possible.
- Try distracting the person with an activity, such as a familiar book or photo album, if you are having trouble communicating with words.
To communicate effectively, use basic and straightforward language. Allow enough time for them to process information and respond. To improve understanding, use nonverbal indicators such as gestures and facial expressions.
What Should I do If I feel Overwhelmed as a Caregiver?
Being a caregiver can be extremely rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or similar dementia requires time and effort. It can be isolating and stressful. You may even feel irritated, which could indicate that you are attempting to take on too much. It is critical to schedule time for self-care. Here are some suggestions that may help:
- Ask for help when you need it. This could mean asking family members and friends to help or reaching out to local services for additional care needs.
- Eat nutritious foods, which can help keep you healthy and active for longer.
- Join a caregiver’s support group online or in person. Meeting other caregivers will give you a chance to share stories and ideas and can help keep you from feeling isolated.
- Take breaks each day. Try making a cup of tea or calling a friend.
- Spend time with friends and keep up with hobbies.
- Get exercise as often as you can. Try doing yoga or going for a walk.
- Try practicing meditation. Research suggests that practicing meditation may reduce blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
- Consider seeking help from mental health professionals to help you cope with stress and anxiety. Talk with your doctor about finding treatment.
It is critical to prioritize your personal well-being. Seek help from family, friends, or caregiver support groups. To avoid burnout, take pauses, practice self-care, and explore respite care. Recognize your limitations and seek assistance when necessary.
How Should the Challenging Behavior of Dementia Patients be Managed?
In the context of dementia, the term “challenging behavior” is a catch-all that can refer to any number of behaviors, including shouting, wandering, biting, throwing objects, repetitive talking, destroying personal property and other objects, agitation and general anger, physical attacks on others, and waking others up at night. In circumstances where patients must coexist with others on a regular basis, this word refers to any behavior by patients that is perceived to be antisocial or dangerous to themselves, their fellow patients, and workers.
It is important to acknowledge any feelings or insecurities to calm them down. Distraction with another topic or activity may be needed. The family needs explanation and support to not take suspicious accusations personally and to recognize that they are part of dementia. Allow the individual to maintain as much control over his or her life as feasible. Respect the individual’s personal space. Include quiet times as well as activities throughout your day. Keep sentimental items and photographs about the house to make the person feel safer.